Grip insert for glock handgun

ABSTRACT

A Glock firearm handgrip is modified to accept a removable ergonomic insert that changes the palm relief of the firearm. A portion of the rounded rear wall of the grip is cut away along a plane parallel to the back plate of the magazine to create a well for the introduction of the insert. The rear surface of the back plate and the converging interior surfaces of the rear wall are used as butting surfaces to hold in place the insert. A prong with a distal latch in the insert is provided for engagement with a transverse pin passed through the sidewalls of the grip. The insert is also preferably equipped with two wings adapted to engage the beveled lower edge of the magazine&#39;s back plate. Several inserts with different profiles are provided to a user to select the most comfortable and/or appropriate for him or her.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/877,790, filed Sep. 8, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates in general to small firearms and accessories; inparticular, it relates to an insert for adjusting the size of the gripof a Glock handgun and a method for adapting such a grip to easilyreceive, accommodate and secure the insert in place.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Firearms are mass produced with a one-size-fits-all approach and customfitting with an expert gunsmith is typically very expensive. Thus, mostshooters avoid the cost of custom work by trying different firearmmodels until they find one that fits.

Some shotguns are available with shims and a selection of butt plates toprovide a certain level of easy customization; similarly, many carbinesare offered with sliding and configurable stocks. Other firearms havemounting rails, such as the Picatinny rail system, that can be fittedwith interchangeable forward handgrips. The ability to move the handgripto a preferred spot on a mounting rail provides a certain level ofergonomic customization.

Interchangeable handgun grips are also available. They are typicallybolted on side panels of the grip or wrapped around and bolted to it.These solutions provide a level of ergonomic customization that manyshooters welcome, but bolt-on grips have lost much relevance with theadvent of polymer handgun frames because these frames have molded innerpanels that cannot be tapped and threaded like their aluminum and steelpredecessors could.

Firearm frames are normally produced as a single piece. Originally, theywere cast or milled from a single piece of metal. More recently, theyhave been molded from plastic that sometimes is reinforced with metallicpieces placed in the mold before the plastic is injected. This techniqueproduces single-piece frames that are made of plastic and reinforced orotherwise improved by the inclusion of metal. For example, asubstantially plastic firearm frame can have metallic runners for theslide.

To the end of adapting the grip of a pistol to the ergonomicrequirements of a particular user, U.S. Pat. No. 7,506,469, hereinincorporated by reference, teaches a firearm frame with a configurablegrip. The frame is produced with retaining standoff structures on theback side of the magazine well to which a removable grip is attached bymeans of a locking pin. Different grips may be used to suit the needs ofthe user.

With particular relevance to the present invention, U.S. Pat. No.4,539,889, U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,744 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,546, hereinincorporated by reference, teach key features of a Glock style firearm.FIG. 1 in each patent illustrates the type of Glock firearm, such asModel Nos. G17, G19, G21, G22, G23, G26 and G27, that this invention isspecifically directed to in order to provide alternative grips to suitthe user. The standard grip of such Glock handgun is modified to enableit to receive and lock in place alternative embodiments of a custominsert according to the user's preference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the discovery that the interior structuralconfiguration of Glock handguns provides an opportunity for modificationof the grip with modular inserts that afford alternative ergonomicexperiences to a user, thereby allowing him/her a choice for optimalperformance. The typical Glock handgun is characterized by a magazinedefined by a flat back plate with a beveled lower edge, and further by arounded rear wall that defines a cavity behind the backplate. Therefore,if a portion of the rounded rear wall is cut away along a plane parallelto the back plate of the magazine, a socket-like opening is created thatallows the introduction of a removable insert with the desired ergonomicconfiguration of the grip.

According to one aspect of the invention, the rear surface of the backplate and the converging interior surfaces of the rear sidewallremaining after a portion is cut away are used as butting surfaces tohold in place the removable grip insert introduced into the cavity insocket-like fashion. Accordingly, the insert is sized with matingsurfaces appropriate for sliding it into the cavity where it is held inplace by the sectioned converging sidewalls, preferably with additionallocking mechanisms.

According to another aspect of the invention, the insert is providedwith a prong with a distal latch sized to fit within the top portion ofthe cavity between the back plate of the magazine and the remainingsection of the rear wall. In addition, the grip is fitted with aretaining device, such as a pin, positioned to engage the latch and lockthe insert in place. According to yet another aspect of the invention,the insert is equipped with two wings adapted to engage the beveledlower edge of the magazine's back plate, thereby providing an additionalstructural connection between the insert and the modified grip of thehandgun.

Thus, a plurality of inserts with the features described above and withdifferent profiles are provided for a user to select the mostcomfortable and/or appropriate for him or her. The standard grip of theGlock handgun is modified by the simple operation of removing a portionof its rounded rear wall and by the addition of a pin inserted throughthe grip to engage the latch in the insert. The insert can be changedsimply by removing the pin, sliding out the insert, introducing a newinsert and locking it in place with the pin.

Additional features and advantages of the will become clear from itsdescription in the specification that follows and from the novelfeatures particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Therefore, theinvention consists of the features hereinafter illustrated in thedrawings, fully described in the detailed description of the preferredembodiments and particularly pointed out in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior-art Glock handgun having a frame with thestructural configuration suited for the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the way a portion of the grip of the Glock handgun ofFIG. 1 is cut away to modify it so as to accommodate the grip insert ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective bottom view of a Glock handgun with a gripcut-away according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of a grip insert according to theinvention

FIG. 5 illustrates a modified handgrip coupled to an insert according tothe invention for producing a different ergonomic profile than found inthe standard handgun.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the insert of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an elevational side view the insert of FIG. 4

FIG. 8 is a top view of the insert of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is another embodiment of the insert of the invention with a morerounded profile.

FIG. 10 is a third embodiment of the insert of the invention with a yetmore rounded profile.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the figures, wherein like parts are referenced with thesame numerals or symbols, FIG. 1 illustrates a Glock handgun 10 that hasthe structural characteristics required for the invention. The handgunincludes a single-piece frame 12, a structure that includes a triggerguard 14 and a handgrip 16. Two interior front and back plates 18,20 inthe handgrip (shown in hidden lines) define a magazine well 22. Thefront plate 18 is preferably formed into the front wall 24 of the grip16. The space between the rear wall 26 of the handgrip and the flat backplate 20 defines a back cavity 28. A slide 30 riding on top of the frame10 and a bullet magazine 32 removably inserted in the well 22 completethe exterior structure of the handgun 10.

The firearm frame 12 of FIG. 1 is molded as a single piece that includesa palm relief in the grip (not shown in the figure). The palm relief isthe back of the firearm handgrip and is the area where the shooter'spalm contacts the firearm. As such, all shooters, regardless of handsize, have to use the same size grip. This invention provides a methodfor modifying the type of frame described in FIG. 1 so that the handgripcan be changed to accommodate one of alternative inserts with differentprofiles and palm reliefs. In particular, the insert of the inventionwas developed for models such as Nos. G17, G19, G21, G22, G23, G26 andG27, but it is applicable to other Glock handguns with a similar framestructure, as described herein.

The rear wall 26 of the grip of these Glock handguns is characterized bya pronouncedly curved horizontal profile (i.e., as seen in top views ofhorizontal sections), in addition to its curved vertical profile. Thatis, the back portion of the grip 16 can be sectioned along a verticalplane to produce an open back cavity 28 bounded by backward-convergingsidewalls. This feature and others are exploited, according to theinvention, to modify the firearm handgrip so as to accept and firmlyhold in place a removable insert that changes the palm relief of thehandgun, thereby changing the handgrip profile that a shooter feelsagainst the palm of the hand when holding the firearm. Because theinsert is releasable from the handgrip, other inserts can be attached tothe grip and tried until the best ergonomic insert is found for a givenperson.

By judiciously cutting away a back portion of the handgrip 16 along aplane 34 parallel to the flat back plate 20, as illustrated in FIG. 1,the remaining portions of the rounded geometry of the rear wall 26 areconverging sidewalls forming an open socket, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the modified handgrip of the inventiontaken from the bottom to show the front plate 18 and the back plate 20that define the magazine well 22 in the grip of the handgun. As can beseen from the illustration, part of the back of the stock handgrip hasbeen milled away planarly to expose the cavity 28 and produce varioussurfaces that can be used advantageously for mating with correspondingsurfaces of an insert when the two components are joined. The innersurfaces of the sectioned sidewalls 36,38 and the flat rear surface ofthe back plate 20 provide three butting surfaces in the modified grip 40to which an insert 44, such as shown in enlarged view in FIG. 4, can bemated in socket-like fashion. This feature is exploited to fit theinsert so that the two structures can be joined with a seamless geometryalong the entire perimeter of the joint. The insert is sized with matingsurfaces appropriate for sliding it into the socket and be held inplace, preferably with additional locking mechanisms. Based on thisapproach, a machining service and a family of inserts can be offered tomodify the Glock firearm and provide interchangeable ergonomic insertsfor customizing the grip to fit different users.

FIG. 5 illustrates the modified handgrip 40 coupled to the insert 44according to the invention to produce a particular ergonomic profile 46.Note that the handgrip 40 was initially the handgrip 16 of the Glockhandgun frame, as described above. The forward part of the polymer framewith the trigger housing and other elements is not shown because it isnot relevant to the invention. The magazine well 22 is visible from thetop opening exposed by the removal of the slide 30 (see FIG. 1).

Referring back to FIG. 4, the insert 44 is illustrated by itself. Thepalm relief area has a texture 48 that can be customized as well as theprofile 46 of the insert to accommodate people who may prefer differenttextures as well as different profiles. As seen more particularly inFIGS. 6 and 7, the front portion of the insert 44 includes a supportstructure 50 that on each side contains an outer-facing surface 52intended to mate with a corresponding converging interior surface 54(seen in FIG. 3) of the modified handgrip 40 in socket-like fashion. Tothat end, the width and thickness of the structure 50 are sized so thatthe surfaces 52 and the front surface 56 mate, respectively, with thesurfaces 50 and the rear surface of the back plate 20 as the insert 44is introduced into the open socket 28 of the modified handgrip 40.Similarly, the forward-facing surfaces 58 (FIGS. 6 and 7) on each sideof the insert are sized to mate seamlessly with the correspondingbackward-facing surfaces 60 produced by the planar sectioning of thehandgrip 16 to obtain the modified handgrip 44.

The insert 44, because of the configuration of its support structure 50,can thus be inserted into the socket-like opening 28 of the modifiedhandgrip 40 with a perfect fit to complete the structure of thehandgun's grip, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The profile 46 of the backportion of the insert and the texture 48 define the ergonomiccharacteristics of the grip. Thus, alternative inserts with the samesupport structure and different ergonomic characteristics can be used tomeet the needs of a user or the preference of different users.

It is noted that the bottom edge 62 (FIG. 3) of the front surface of theback plate 20 is slightly beveled in order to facilitate the insertionof the magazine 32 into the well 22. According to another aspect of theinvention, this feature is exploited to further secure the fit of theinsert 44 into the grip 40 by providing a small wing 64 on each side ofthe bottom of the insert (as seen in FIGS. 4 and 6-8) adapted to engagethe beveled portion of the back plate 20. The coupling of these wingswith the back plate further ensures that the insert 44 cannot beseparated from the grip 40 by pulling them apart from the open bottom ofthe grip when the magazine is out of the handgun. Clearly, the wings 64have to be sufficiently thin to avoid interference with the insertionand removal of the magazine 32 into the well 22 of the handgun.

The top outer portion 66 of the insert 44 is sized to mesh with thecorresponding surface 68 in the cut-out opening (see FIGS. 2 and 3) ofthe modified grip 40 defined by the milling process that produced it soas to fully enclose the cavity 28 with a seamless joint. The uppersection 70 of the cavity that remains unexposed after milling away thelower portion of the back wall 26 of the grip 16 provides an additionalfeature that can be used advantageously according to the invention. Atransverse hole 72 is drilled through the upper section 70 for receivinga retaining pin 74 from one side of the grip to the other (the pin isshown flush with the hole 72 in FIG. 2). In addition, the supportstructure 50 of the insert 44 is extended upward with a prong 76 sizedto fit into the upper section 70 of the cavity 28. The top of the prong76 is fitted with a latch 78 adapted for engagement with the pin 74 tolock in place the insert 44 after it is introduced into the modifiedgrip 40 of the invention. Thus, a very secure connection is establishedbetween the removable insert and the modified handgun's grip. However,the insert can be removed from the grip easily and rapidly simply byextracting the pin 74 (such as by pushing it out with a conformingplunger) from the latch and by extracting the insert. A different insertmay then be used by sliding it into the opening and locking it in placewith the pin.

FIG. 8 illustrates a different insert 80 with a slightly more pronouncedprofile 82. The profile 82 is more curved than the profile 46 of thefirst insert 44, thereby producing a different ergonomic effect on thehandgun grip. All other features are the same as described for insert44. FIG. 9 illustrates a third insert 84 with a yet more pronouncedprofile 86 for a different ergonomic effect, which may be preferable fora larger hand.

Thus, an approach has been described for providing alternative grips tothe user of a Glock handgun having the structural features describedabove. The standard handgun can be modified simply by judiciouslymilling or cutting away a portion of its grip as taught herein so as toaccommodate one of several alternative grip inserts provided to fit intothe opening created by milling operation. The invention teachesstructural features in the insert that take advantage of the innerstructure of the grip in conventional Glock handguns.

While the invention has been shown and described in what is believed tobe the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized thatdepartures can be made therefrom within the scope of the invention. Forexample, a different form of engaging mechanism, such as a snap, couldbe used instead of the pin/latch combination described here. Therefore,the invention is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein butis to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any andall equivalent processes and products.

1. A removable grip insert for a modified handgun grip having an open cavity obtained by a planar removal of a portion of a rear wall of an original grip, said original grip having backward-converging sidewalls and a magazine well with a flat back plate defining a cavity with said rear wall, said insert comprising: a support structure with outer-facing surfaces adapted to mate with corresponding converging interior surfaces of said backward-converging sidewalls, said support structure having a thickness sized so that a front surface of the support structure mates with a flat rear surface of said back plate when the insert is introduced into the open cavity of the modified handgrip; a forward-facing surface on each side of the insert sized to mate with a corresponding backward-facing surface produced in the modified handgrip by said planar removal of a portion of the rear wall; and a prong with a latch extending from said support structure and adapted for insertion into the modified grip and for subsequent engagement by a retaining device in the modified grip; whereby the insert may be fitted into the open cavity of the modified grip and securely locked in place.
 2. The insert of claim 1, wherein said retaining device is a pin inserted transversely through the modified grip.
 3. The insert of claim 1, further including at least one retaining wing adapted to engage a beveled portion of said back plate.
 4. The insert of claim 3, wherein said retaining device is a pin inserted transversely through the modified grip.
 5. A method for providing alternative ergonomic grips for a user of a handgun grip having backward-converging sidewalls and a magazine well with a flat back plate defining a cavity with said rear wall, the method comprising the following steps: producing a modified handgrip by the planar removal of a portion of said rear wall, thereby creating an open cavity for receiving a grip insert; providing a plurality of grip inserts with a variety of grip profiles, each insert including a support structure having outer-facing surfaces adapted to mate with corresponding converging interior surfaces of said backward-converging sidewalls, said support structure having a thickness sized so that a front surface of the support structure mates with a flat rear surface of said back plate when the insert is introduced into the open cavity of the modified handgrip; said insert further having a forward-facing surface on each side of the insert sized to mate with a corresponding backward-facing surface produced in the modified handgrip by said planar removal of a portion of the rear wall; and having a prong with a latch extending from the support structure and adapted for insertion into the modified grip and for subsequent engagement by a retaining device in the modified grip; fitting one of said plurality of grip inserts into the open cavity of the modified grip; and securely locking the insert in place with said retaining device.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein said retaining device is a pin inserted transversely through the modified grip.
 7. The method of claim 5, further including the step of including in the insert at least one retaining wing adapted to engage a beveled portion of said back plate.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said retaining device is a pin inserted transversely through the modified grip.
 9. A handgun/removable-grip-insert kit combination comprising: a handgun with a grip having a magazine well with a flat back plate and backward-converging sidewalls defining an open cavity with a back surface of the back plate; and a plurality of grip inserts with a variety of grip profiles, each insert including: a support structure having outer-facing surfaces adapted to mate with corresponding converging interior surfaces of said backward-converging sidewalls, said support structure having a thickness sized so that a front surface of the support structure mates with a flat rear surface of said back plate when the insert is introduced into the open cavity of the grip; a forward-facing surface on each side of the insert sized to mate with a corresponding backward-facing surfaces in said backward-converging sidewalls; and a prong with a latch extending from the support structure and adapted for insertion into the open cavity of the grip and for subsequent engagement by a retaining device in the grip; whereby the insert may be fitted into the open cavity of the grip and securely locked in place.
 10. The kit of claim 9, wherein said retaining device is a pin inserted transversely through the modified grip.
 11. The kit of claim 9, further including at least one retaining wing adapted to engage a beveled portion of said back plate.
 12. The kit of claim 11, wherein said retaining device is a pin inserted transversely through the modified grip. 